Production of cinematographic effects in color.



T. A. MILLS.

PRODUCTION 0F CINEMATOCRAPHIC EFFECTS IIN COLOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEcpB. 1912.

1,172,621. Petented Feb. 22,1916.

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PRODUCTION OF CINEMATOGRAPHIC EFFECTS IN COLOR.

APPLICATION FILED nic. 3. 1912.

1,172,621. Patented Feb. 22,1916.

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THOMAS ALBERT MILLS, OF CLAPHAM, LONDON, ENGLAND.

PRODUCTION 0F CINEMATOGRAIHIG EFFECTS IN COLOR.

Specification. of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb, 22, 1916.

Application led December 3, 1912. Serial N o. 734,701.

. To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, THOMAS ALBERT MiLLs, a subject of His Majesty the King of England, residing at 14 Hazelrigge road, Clapham, London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Production of Cinematographic Eects in Color, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is for improvements in or relating to the production of cinematographic effects in color.

By this invention a cinematographic band is produced in which each individual picture is a composite heliochrome composed entirely of pictures showing a more or less perfect effect of natural colors and white;

hence an ordinary projection apparatus without a transparent color screen or adjuncts can be used for projection. This ordinary projection machine may be run at the usual or normal speed when each of the picture units is individually a heliochrome, whether on the two color system, with or without neutral key; or on the three-color system, with or without neutral key.

For greater clarity reference is hereinafter had to the accompanying two sheets of drawings, in which various convenient and advantageous ways of carrying out the invention are depicted.

In the drawings the color analysis of the pictures is indicated by letters as R indicating red; Y yellow, andB, blue in the three color aspect; and B, blue and O, orange as hereinbefore defined in the two color aspect. Motion analysis is on the other hand indicated by numerals.

Thus Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a strip of a color negative film taken at substantially ordinary black and white speed through recurring color filters on a two color basis. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a pair of positive films printed selectively from the negative band depicted by Fig. 1, so that all pictures of the same color analysis are printed on the same film. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan of positive films printed from the negative band shown in Fig. 1 so that the alternate pictures of each iilm exhibit dierent color analysis. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan of a positive band illustrating the combination of either the film pairs, Fig. 2 or Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic plan of a negative band taken at substantially ordinary black and white speed through recurring color films on a three color basis. Fig. 6is a diagrammatic plan View of positive films printed selectively from the negative band shown in Fig. 5 so that -all pictures ofthe same color analysis are printed on the same film. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of positivevfilms printed from the negative band shown in Fig. 5, so that successive triads of pictures exhibiting different color analysis occur on each film. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic plan of a positive band illustrating the combination of either of the lm triads according to Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective View of an exemplar form of a completed positive band produced on the two color basis, the layers being shown separated and broken away and conventional color shading used to illustrate the superimposition of the colors. Fig. l0 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of an exemplar form of a completed positive band produced' on the three color basis, the layers being shown separated and broken away and conventional color shading used to illustrate the superimposition of the colors.

In the taking or exposure of the original or negative band N2 or N3, the sensitive strip which is used should be coated with an emulsion or preparation of the orthochromatic or panchromatic character, the color sensitizing being performed by bathing or otherwise in accordance with known methods. The exposure of the negative band N2 or N3 is made in any cinematographic camera of ordinary type but having provision for the interposition of primary color-filters either on the two-color or the three-color basis, the sequence of color filters being alternately blue and orange on the two-color basis or sequently and in order blue-violet, green, and red on the three color basis.

For the purpose of this invention the term orange is intended to cover or define an admixture of spectral colors ranging from about the D line in the yellow to the lower red, or such selection from .these three colors as may be expedient. Thus orange is used as an equivalent of the more general expressions red, yellowish, or yellow.

Whether the two-color basis or the threecolor basis be adopted, the negative band N2 or N3 as the case may be will be exposed under vappropriate color filters as specified, the filter system being of a kind to suit the mechanism adopted, as for example a color band running with, over, and in front of the negative band the color areas on this alternating blue and orange or being blueviolet, green, and red in regular sequences of three. As an alternative the windows of a EZ-phase or B-phase sector shutter may be covered with the appropriate filter-media. In this case there should be an adjusting or controlling device, by movable sectors or otherwise, by which the relative exposures under the color filters can be controlled and adjusted.

The exposed negative band Nzor N3 is developed, xed, and washed after which a positive band, composed of a base or support D made of Celluloid or other suitable material provided with a light-sensitive preparation or emulsion A2 if on the two color basis or A3 if on the three color basis, is made lfrom it in the usual manner on a printing machine of the ordinary or usual type. The silver ima-ges of the positive band are then bleached by a ferricyanid solution with or without the addition of a lead salt. A 10 per cent. solution of potassium ferricyanid to which l per cent. of ammonia is added serves to bleach the silver images rapidly. Next the alternate pictures are toned blue and orange respectively if the worlr is on a two-color basis, or the prints are toned yellow, red, and blue in regular sequences of three if the work is on`a threecolor basis. The toning of the bleached images is by the local application of suitable metallic salts in solution, for example a 2 per cent. solution of ferric chlorid slightly acidified by hydrochloric acid for the bluetoning, and for example vanadium and copper or vanadium and uranium for the orange toning, but a combined ferricyanid and metallic solution may be used in either' case so as to effect the toning with a single solution. Various methods of toning that are applicable are described in Dr. Sedlaczeks work Die Tof/Lungs Verfahren von Entuicclungs papieren, published at I-Ialle in 1906, and in Mr. Somervilles Toning Bromz'ds cmd lautern Slides published at London (Dawbarn and Ward) in 1904. rIhese and other coloring methods are not claimed individually as such but only in relation to or in combination with the other special features of the herein described invention.

In relation tov the two color aspect it should be distinctly understood that the pictures from negatives exposed. under the blue filter must be toned orange, and those pietures from negatives exposed under the orange filter must be toned blue. In relation to the three-color aspect it should be distinctly understood that the pictures from lnegatives exposed under the red filter must be toned blue.

plementary to the color of the filter used in taking the negative.

In applying the toning preparations tothe successive series of positives, a stencil may be used to cover the alternate or'intermediate pictures, or rotating disks or moving bands may be used to carry and apply the requisite solutions to the pictures to be treated..

As it is of general importance that the toned positives should be as transparent as practicable, the'toned film is treated with a solvent of silver or refixedin a bath of sodium thiosulf'ate (hypo) of about 10 per cent. strength and containing alittle boric acid. After this, washing and drying should follow, but at any stage-a hardening bath such as of formaldehyde may be used.

The lm band on which are alternate primary color positives on the two-color sified silver chlorid has been added; or a` printing out emulsion-film. may be used before or after development` Recoating. or resensitizing between the printings is in accordance with .usages and methods-well understood by photographers, a waterproof and chemical proof stratum being interposed when necessary, just as is done between the strata in the case of the lumire autochrome plates. A solution of 1 part of kauri or dammar gum to 4l to 8 parts of chloroform or other appropriate solvent and in accordance with known usages in such matters makes an efficient impervious coating or varnish and one which allows of recoating with a gelatinous preparation. A second impression B2 or B3 is now made from the original negative istrip or band N2 or N3 on the positive band and f'or this operation of a second printing on the positive band, the negative band must shifted out of step on the printing device referred to above and the shifting may be one step., so that the first positive is under the second negative, the second positive is under the third negative and so forth. After suitable printing with any appropriate development or after treatment in which the new film or emulsion is conjoined to the display band, as, for example, a development by warm water in the case of the bichromated gelatin, the new series of prints or transparencies must be toned or stained successively as be- In short the tone of each positive picture must be substantially com fore described or in any manner adapted to the printing method.

In the two-color aspect the toning will be blue and orange, but an orange positive length alternations of orange and blue prints superimposed but behind each blue print is an orange print and behind each ora-nge print is a blue print. In projecting the two color film or band thus obtained, an ordinary cinematograph projector may be used, also an ordinary receiving screen or sheet, but the screen may be slightly yellow or otherwise tinted or may be illuminated by a separate source of yellow or other colored light. j Y

In the three-color aspect, the first printing at the back o-f the positive band is as described, b-ut a red positive must be at the back of a yellow positive print, a blue positive at the back of a red print and a yellow positive at the back of a blue print. The band N2 or N3 is now coated again as before and over the previous coating with a lightsensitive preparation or emulsion C3 as formerly. The nature of the resist which may be used between the coatings is indicated above.

A third printing is now carried out and for this printing operation a, machine or device of the4 kind already referred to may be used; the negative band N3 being shifted two steps and this shifting may be such that the first positive is under the' third negative, the second positive is under the fourth negative and so forth or instead of so shifting the negative band N3 for such third printing, the negative band may be shifted one step backward, a'. e., so that the first negative is over the second positive, the second negative over the third positive and so forth. After suitable printing with any appropriate development or after treatment as before described, the new series of prints are toned successively blue under the yellow and red, yellow under the red and blue, and red under the blue and yellow. Thus a positive band D, A3, B3, Cwill be obtained which bears throughout its length successive series of red, blue and yellow prints on eagh side, but behind each yellow p-rint are red and blue prints, behind each red print are blue and yellow prints and behind each blue print are yellow and r'ed prints. i

In order to provide for cases where it may be desirable to have all images of the same color concentrated on the same coating Fig. 2, or Fig. 6 as ispreferred the operation of printing from the negative band Nzor N3 is by the use o-f a machine which differs from the usual cinematograph printer by a shutter units of action on the part of the machine. After one printing the necessary shift is made and the printing is resumed.v

In projecting the film or band obtained by this invention an ordinary cinematograph may be used and also an ordinary receiving screen or sheet; this being tinted or otherwise. At any stage a faint impression or impressions may be made from either or both or any or all of the negative series onto either side of the colored positive band; such impression or impressions forming a neutral key or monochromebasis.

As an illustration of the order of exposure` or printing when a sensitive stratum is laid or 'coated on the back of a positive band which already bears on its other side or face a positive print may be thus defined "or stated: 1. The toned positive, 2; its celluloid or other` support; 3, the new sensitive layer; 4, the Celluloid or other support; 5,l

2 would indicate the second toned positives and the Celluloid support. The supplementary coatings maybe placed on the same side of the-,band as the original, a resist if required being used as already stated.

In order to avoid the disturbing iniuence of the thickness of the filmsand their supports a condenser may be` used to give a beam of lightand in front of the condenser the band may be suitably caused to travel. Light made approximately parallel by reflection or otherwise may serve instead of a beam passed through a condenser.

An alternative and at present preferred method of toning or'producing the color elements is the silver iodid mordanting method; this method consisting in converting the silver of an image into iodid, immersing in a solution of a suitable dye to which silver iodid acts as a mordant; fixing in a solution of hypof or in a solution of potassium cyanid containing tannin or other tin-bromid film and treating this, eitherbefore or after fixation, with hydrogen peroxid, ammonium persulfate or an equivalent. This dissolves out the negative image leaving a positive relief of gelatin, this now being stained with an aqueous stain. A chromium or other mordant can be introduced into .the gelatin to facilitate the fixing of certain colors. Other procedures for obtaining the color elements are" those in which local non-absorbability is induced by the action of the silver image on the gela.

tin film which has been bichromated (Rawlins process The Amateur- Photographer September 24th, 19037 p. 246 and subsequent modifications) or as a variant, the method. known as pinatype.

The individual positive color elements may be imprinted on gelatin films or coatings which can be made discriminatively receptive of aqueous or oily fluids the gelatin being either bichromated or charged with silver bromid. 1n this latter case a positive image may be developed and treated with well known reagents which render the film locally receptive of oil or water respectively; and color in these media may be applied in accordance with known methods.

In the diagrams the diads and triade of positive films are illustrated as if they were printed on double or treble width vlm. While this might be done, and the film afterward divided for subsequent treatment and combination, the said illustrations are yintended merely to show the subsequent superimposed relations of the positive films and to make clear the step-wise shifting of the negative band for their production, as in cases of recoating the support on the vsame side the previous positive film must be completed preparatory to the next film being laid down thereon.

From the `foregoing it will also be obvious thatV vthe films may loe laid down on opposite sides of the support instead of only on one side as depicted.

Having thus described' my invention what I claim as new and desire to ysecure by Letters Patent is 1. Process of producing a color cinematographic picture film for projection without the aid of color screens or filters which consists in making each complete picture of i said picture film a 'composite heliochrome more or less simulating the colors of nature by taking a single original or negative band exposed through recurring color f filters, printingen a light sensitive surface from said negative band, treating such surface so that each of the positive images thereon will appear in color complementary to the color of the filter used in taking the correspondv ing negative image, printing on a fresh light sensitive surface from said negative' band, said negative band being stepwise shifted in relation to theJ previous printing, and treaty ing such fresh surface so that each of the second series of positive images thereupon will appear in color complementary to the color of the filter used in `taking the corresponding negative image, each positive image in color of the above-recited first printing and the above-recited first color treatment forming one element of a composite heliochrome and each positive image in color of the above-recited second printing and the above-recited second color treatment forming the' other element or another element of a composite heliochrome, a single transparent base being the final support for all the light sensitive surfaces.

,2. Process of producing a color cinematographicv picture film for projection without the aid of color screens or filters which consists in making each complete picture of said picture film a composite heliochrome more or lese simulating the colors of nature by taking a single original or negative band exposed through recurring color filters, printing on a light sensitive surface from said negative band, treating said surface so that each of the positive images thereupon.

` will appear in color complementary to the color of the filter used in taking the corresponding negative image, printing on a fresh light sensitive surface from said negative band, said negative band being stepwise shifted in relation to the previous printing,

and treating such fresh surface so that `each* of the second series of positive images thereupon will appear in color complementary to the color of the filter used in taking the corresponding negative image, printing `on a new light sensitive surface from said negative band, said negative band being stepwise shifted in relation to the previous printings, and treating such new surface so that each of the third series of positive images thereupon will appear in color complementary to the color of the filter used in taking the corresponding negative image, each positive image in color of the above-recited first printing and the above-recited first color treatment forming one element of a composite heliochrome, each positive image in color of the above-recited second printing andthe above-recited second color treatment forming another element of a composite heliochrome and each positive image in color of the above-recited third printing and the above-recited third color treatment forming a further element ofacomposite heliochrome,

a single transparent base being the final support for all the light sensitive surfaces.

3. Process of producing a color cinematographic picture film for projection without the aid of colory screens or filters which consists in making each complete picture of said picture film a composite heliochrome more or less simulating the colors of nature by taking a single original or negative band exposed through recurring color filters, printing on a light sensitive surface' from said negative band, treating such surface so that each of the positive images thereupon will appear in color complementary to l,the color of the filter used in taking the corresponding negative image, covering the previous printing with a fresh light sensitive surface, printing on such fresh light sensitive surface from said negative band, said negative band lbeing stepwise shifted in relation to pear in color complementary to the color ofthe filter used in taking the corresponding negative'image, each positive image in color of the above-recited rst printing and the above-recited first color treatment forming.

one element of a composite heliochrome and each positive image in color of the aboverecited second printing and the above-recited second color treatment forming the other element or another element-of a composite heliochrome.

' 4. Process of producing a colorcinematographic picture film for projection without the aid of color screens or filters which consists in making each complete picture of said picture film a composite heliochrome more or less simulatingthe colors of nature by taking a single original or negative band through recurring color filters, printing on a light sensitive surface from said negative band, treating said surface so that each of the positive images thereupon will appear in color complementary to the color of the filter used in taking the 'corresponding negative image, covering the previous printing with a fresh light sensitive surface, printing on such fresh light sensitive surface from said negative band, said negative band being stepwise shifted in relation to the previous printing, and treating such fresh surface so that each of the second series of positive images thereupon will appear in color complementary to the color of the filter used in taking the corresponding negative image, covering the above-recited second printing with a new light sensitive surface, printing on such new light sensitive surface from said negative band, said negative band being stepwise shifted in relation to the previous printings, and treating such new surface so that each ofthe third series of positive images thereupon will appear in color complementary to the color of the filter used in taking the corresponding negative image, each positive image in color of the above-recited first printing and the above-recited first color treatment forming one element of a composite heliochrome, each positive image incolor of the aboverecited second printing and the above-recited second color treatment forming another element of the composite heliochrome, and each positive image in color of the above-recited third printing and the aboverecited third color treatment forming a further element of a composite'heliochrome.

5. Process of producing a color cinematographic picture film for projection Without the aid of color screens or filters which consists in making each complete picture of said picture film a composite heliochrome by tak-ing a single original or negative band exposed through recurring color lters,

printing all images ofone color on a light sensitive surface from said negative band,

treating such surface so that each of the positive images thereupon will appear in color complementaryI to the color of the filterused in taking the corresponding negative image, printing all images of another color on a fresh light sensitive surface from said negative band, said negative band being stepwise shifted in relation to the previous printing, and treating such fresh surface so that each of the second series of positive images thereupon will appear-.in color complementary to the color of the filter used in taking the corresponding negative image,

each positive image in color of the aboverecited first printing and the above-recited first color treatment forming one element of a composite heliochrome, and each positive image in color of theiabove-recited second printing andthe above-recited second color treatment forming the other element or another element of a composite heliochrome, a single transparent base being the final support for all the light sensitive surfaces. 1

6. Process of producing va color cinematographic picture film for projection with-r treating said' surface so that each of the positive images thereupon will appear n colorl complementary to the color of the filter used in taking the corresponding negative image, printing all images of another color on a fresh light sensitive surface from said negative band, said negative band be- 4 ing stepwise shifted in relation to the pre- -vious printing, and treating such fresh surface so that each of the second series of positive images thereupon will appear in color complementary tothe color of the filter used in taking the corresponding negative image,

printing all images 'of a third .color on a l new light sensitive. surface from said negative band, said negative band being steplwise shifted in relation to the previous printings, and treating such new surface so that each of the third series f of positive images thereupon will appear in color complementary to the color ofthe filter used in taking the corresponding negative' image,

' each positive image in color of the aboverecited rst printing and the above-recited first color treatment forming one element of a composite Y heliochrome, each positive image in color of the above-recited second printing and the above-recited second color treatment forming another element of a composite heliochrome, and each positive image in color `of the above-recited third printing and the above-recited third color treatment forming a further element of a composite heliochrome, a single transparent base being the final support for all the light sensitive surfaces.

7. Process of producing a color cinematographic picture film for projection without the aid of color screens or filters which consists in making each complete picture of said picture film a composite heliochrome more or less simulating the color of nature by taking a single original or negative band exposed through recurring color filters, printing on a light sensitive surface from said negative band, treating such surface so that each of the positive images thereupon will appear in color-complementary to the color o'f the filter used in taking the corresponding negative image, printing on a fresh light sensitive surface from said negative band, said negative band being stepwise shifted vin relation to the previous printing, and treating such fresh surface so that each of the second series of positive images thereupon will appear in color complementary to the color of the filter used in taking the corresponding negative image, printing on a further sensitive surfacea black and white key print from said negative band, treatin such further sensitive surface, each positive image in color of the above-recited first printing and the aboverecited first color treatment forming one element of a composite heliochrome, and each positive image in color of the aboverecited second printing and the above-recited lsecond color 'treatment forming the other element or another element of a com-- posite heliochrome showing colors and white, a single transparent base being the final support for all the light sensitive surfaces.

8L Process of producing 'a color'cinematographic picture fiim for projection without thel aid of color screens or filters which con-.I

f sists in making each complete picture of said picture lm a composite heliochromelmore or less simulating the colors of nature by taking a single original or negative band eX'- posed through recurring color filters, printing on a light sensitive surface from said negative band, treating said surface so that each of the positive images thereupon will appear in color complementary to the color of the filter used in taking the corresponding negative image, printing on a fresh light sensitive surface from said negative band, said negative band being stepwise shifted in relation to the previous printing, and treating such fresh surface so that each of the second series of positive images thereupon Will appear in color complementary to the color of the filter used in taking the corresponding negative image, printing on a new light sensitive surface from said negative band, said negative band being stepwise shifted in relation to the previous printings, and treating such new surface so that each of the third series of positive images thereupon will appear in color `com-- plementary to the color of the filter used in taking the corresponding negative image, printing on a further light sensitive surface a black and white key print from said negative band, treating such further sensitive surface, each positive image in color of the above-recited rst printing and the above-recited first color treatment forming one element of a composite heliochrome, each positive image invcolor of the aboverecited second printing and the above-recited second color treatment forming `another element of a compositek heliochrome, and each positive image in color of the above-recitedthird printing and the aboverecited third color treatment forming la vfurther element of a composite heliochrome showing colors and white,asingle transparent base being the final support for all the light sensitive surfaces.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THGMAS ALBERT MILLS.

r Witnesses: e Y ALBERT GEORGE BARNES, HERBERT WALTER MEADoWonEr'r. 

